Accused killer’s charges dismissed, indicted in Superior Court

Blake Scanlon, 23, of Westfield, was arrested and charged with the murder of his girlfriend, Alexis Avery, 20, also of Westfield. (Photo courtesy Hampden County District Attorney’s office)

WESTFIELD- The man accused of killing his 20-year-old girlfriend in January had his charges dropped in Westfield District Court because he was indicted and arraigned in Hampden County Superior Court last week.

Blake Scanlon, 24, of 92 White St., Westfield, was indicted in Superior Court on charges of murder, assault and battery on a family or household member, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. Scanlon is accused of killing Alexis Avery, 20, who lived with him at the time.

Blake Scanlon and Alexis Avery with their young child in an image uploaded to Facebook in October (Photo acquired via Facebook)

According to the police statement in the court records, Scanlon had stabbed Avery on a Friday night in January and called the police on himself Sunday morning. When police arrived, he had clear wounds to his arms that were reported to have been self-inflicted. He was transported to Noble Hospital for treatment before being brought to police headquarters.

Now that his charges have been taken up in Superior Court, Scanlon’s next appearance is a pre-trial hearing on Oct. 21.

Avery and Scanlon had a young child together at the time of her death. Shortly after the news broke of her killing, a candlelight vigil was held on the town green. Dozens of friends, family, and strangers came out to grieve for the sudden loss of Avery. On May 10, another vigil was held in Huntington in remembrance of all domestic violence victims in the area, including Avery.